Ask Instructor David Barrett

David wrote:

"To be patient is to have the capacity of calm endurance. To give yourself time is to actively work toward a goal without setting a limit on how long you will work.” Master Bong Soo Han [Zen in the Martial Arts by Joe Hyams, pg 16]

You mean I could suck at this FOREVER?!? ;o)

Happy anniversary to you, too! This is one of the few sites out there that I feel I truly get real content worth my investment. I can't wait to see what you have in store for 2011.

Great job, happy holidays, and a Happy New Year, too.

Hi David continue reading...

David,

I'm watching the Brendan Power interview (after you recommended I look at his tunings for some of the nutty stuff I'm trying to do), and I got to wondering (and hoping) - -

Do you plan this year - or in the future - to explore alternate tunings and music styles on this site? I know the name of the page is Bluesharmonica.com, but I'm curious as to whether you plan to reach out into areas like rock, jazz, country, pop, etc.

Not bored or dissatisfied, just wonderin'...

Dave,

Regarding the third position study song Blowin' My Horn:

On the 6th chorus at the first measure of the change from the I to the IV chord the transcription notates 3+/9+ as the octave. Granted it can be done but it is very, very challenging at full pace (as though this song was not already challenging enough!). continue reading...

Hi David

I need your advice. I started in the beginner section 1 about a week ago and is struggling with the basic techniques, Specially with the two note combinations and tremolo. I get the tremolo but SLOW. But the TNC I can't master.
Should I move on and start to mix in beginner section 2, since I'm beginning to get a little ”bored” with section 1?

Claes

Hi Dave,

I have bought the book and CD set in the student version. It's nice but we haven't the responses...
I have also bought the program EMT version 3 (both for Mac and PC). It is very nice too.

David,
I hate to admit it but I still dont know if I am doing a 1, 4 or a 5 chord. Where can I go to get caught up to speed on this? Thank you!

Your comment on the music stand found me in enthusiastic agreement. I think for beginning harp, it's essential. I've found that when I'm practicing without it, I tend to put my head down - especially if I'm sitting - and I tend to drool into my harp. The Seydel 1847s aren't too tolerant of excess moisture and the reeds stick. continue reading...

Great tips related to practice time etc. David and much appreciated but ............

In addition to "hands on" (or is it mouth on?) practice time, there's mic/amp set up, cupping the mic work, listening to other jam tracks submitted here and on other sites, reading and responding to forums (like this), cleaning/gapping harps etc. So is this part of practice routines? I probably spend at least an hour each day on this stuff in addition to actually playing practice. Am I alone (which I doubt)

or is this a case of "Hi, my name is Hank and I'm a learning harp player" ;-))

G'day David, i just attended my 1st jam at the blues club. interesting, but not very fulfilling. my first experience of how they run these things...i was appointed 'before you accuse me"...then had to share the stage with another harp player who was well on the way to drunkenness...basically i was polite...the harp players were only given 1 chorus and the drunk was going for it so i layed off and just played the fills and turnarounds. it was ok but i felt i had blown my opportunity. continue reading...